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Beef from the Perry
Court Beef Herd
Our Cattle have been managed to Organic
Standards since 1972 when the herd was set up. Only
cattle from pure beef breeds are used in the herd. These are
now Simmental
cattle crossed with the Scottish Luing cattle breed.
These give a nice mix of quality and size that produce an
animal that matures slower at around two years of age
The Cattle are fed a forage based diet of home grown Organic
silage and grass and small amounts of oats and barley during the
winter for the younger stock and fattening animals.
During the winter the herd is housed in large half open straw
yards, this provides shelter for them during
bad weather, but
also allows them access to the
outdoors and sunlight. The housing period is kept to a
minimum and used only to protect the cattle from the weather and
the grass fields from being damaged by the animals.
From late April to October the cattle are outdoors grazing the
fields. Great care is put into choosing grass, clover and herb
mixes that are planted for the cattle to graze. We select
species that suit the the soil types as well as the needs of the
different groups of cattle. For example cows that are feeding
their calves will be put on fields containing grass and herb
mixes that help give the cow the right nutrients, vitamins and
minerals for the job she is doing. Younger stock will go onto
fields containing more clover which will give them the extra
protein they require at their growth
stage. We also choose some of the older verities of grasses that
might be slightly less productive but are said to give the meat
more flavour
Different views are held as to whether cattle should be fattened
just on grass or cereals or a mix of both.
We believe a small
amount of cereals are necessary to improve the eating and taste
qualities of the beef.
We therefore incorporate a small amount of home grown oats and
barley into the ration during their last few months on the farm.
The cattle are then sent to a local (20min away) abattoir that
is certified to handle Organic livestock. They
are also then
able to hang the beef there before cutting and packing it for
us.
We feel that the combination of these breeds we have chosen
complimented by our management of the
animals and the 21 day hanging period that the meat undergoes
results, in great tasting, succulent and tender beef.
Our Beef is not only Organic but Bio-Dynamic and is produced
from a herd that has been managed Organically for the last three
decades.
Our beef can be brought directly from the
farm
and the farm
shop, or it is available at most
markets
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